HB 658 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the carrying of weapons by community supervision and corrections department officers, juvenile probation officers, and certain retired law enforcement officers and to criminal liability for taking a weapon from certain of those officers.

HB 658 ensures that businesses cannot ban certain law enforcement personnel from carrying weapons on their premises. It specifically protects community supervision and corrections officers, juvenile probation officers, and honorably retired peace officers who are legally authorized to carry weapons. The bill amends state law to prevent establishments from restricting these officers from carrying weapons they're permitted to carry, regardless of whether they're actively working. This applies to both current and retired officers covered under Texas Penal Code Section 46.15. The bill does not change weapon-carrying rules but clarifies that businesses cannot override these officers' legal right to carry weapons in public spaces.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Last action May 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 6 edits · Apr 28, 2025
MODERATE
This bill expands the right to carry weapons for various law enforcement personnel in Texas, including community supervision officers, juvenile probation officers, and retired law enforcement officers. It also clarifies criminal liability for taking weapons from these officers and updates definitions of violent offenses. The changes ensure these officers can carry weapons in public establishments and define specific protections against weapon removal.
Scope change
Expanded scope to include community supervision and corrections department officers, juvenile probation officers, and honorably retired law enforcement officers who were not explicitly covered in the original version.
ELIGIBILITY

Added community supervision and corrections department officers and juvenile probation officers to the list of personnel who may carry weapons in public establishments.

Added honorably retired peace officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers to the list of personnel who may carry weapons in public establishments.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'offense involving violence' to include additional Penal Code sections related to family violence, child abuse, and trafficking.

ENFORCEMENT

Amended Section 38.14 to clarify criminal penalties for taking weapons from public safety personnel, including the newly added categories of officers.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for retired law enforcement officers to hold a certificate of proficiency and valid photo identification to carry weapons in public.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized and renumbered sections for clarity and consistency with current legislative formatting standards.

Floor votes · House Apr 24, 2025

How they voted

13212
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 145
Apr 24, 2025
D Democratic58
47 Yea 10 Nay 1
81% Yea
R Republican87
85 Yea 2 Nay
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
31
Key actions
7
Committee
7
Amendments
2
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Justice
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Amended
Amendment fails of adoption
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Carl Tepper
Carl Tepper
RRepublican
TX
84